What is "ranibizumab"

n. A monoclonal antibody fragment derived from the same parent murine antibody as bevacizumab, used as an antiangiogenic.

Ranibizumab (trade name Lucentis among others) is a monoclonal antibody fragment ( Fab) created from the same parent mouse antibody as bevacizumab. It is an anti-angiogenic that has been approved to treat the "wet" type of age-related macular degeneration (AMD, also ARMD), a common form of age-related vision loss.

Its effectiveness is similar to that of bevacizumab. Its rates of side effects also appear similar. However, ranibizumab typically costs $2,000 a dose, while the equivalent dose of bevacizumab typically costs $50.

Ranibizumab was developed by Genentech and is marketed in the United States by Genentech and elsewhere by Novartis, under the brand name Lucentis.